Restricted Businesses—New Zealand

Last updated: March 18, 2020

The following categories of businesses and business practices are restricted from using the Stripe Service (“Restricted Businesses”). Restricted Business categories may be imposed through Network Rules or the requirements of our Financial Services Providers. In certain cases, businesses listed below may be eligible for processing with explicit prior approval from Stripe. Note, however, that businesses that offer illegal products or services are never eligible to use the Stripe Services. The types of businesses listed in the right column are representative, but not exhaustive. If you are uncertain as to whether your business is a Restricted Business, or have questions about how these requirements apply to you, please contact us.

By registering with us, you are confirming that you will not use the Service to accept payments in connection with the following businesses, business activities, or business practices, unless you have received prior written approval from Stripe.

Virtual currency that can be monetized, resold, or converted to physical or digital products and services or otherwise exit the virtual world (e.g., Bitcoin); sale of stored value or credits maintained, accepted and issued by anyone other than the seller

IP Infringement, regulated or illegal products and services

Intellectual property or proprietary rights infringement

Sales, distribution, or access to counterfeit music, movies, software, or other licensed materials without the appropriate authorization from the rights holder; any product or service that directly infringes or facilitates infringement upon the trademark, patent, copyright, trade secrets, or proprietary or privacy rights of any third party; use of Stripe intellectual property without express consent from Stripe; use of the Stripe name or logo including use of Stripe trade or service marks inconsistent with the Stripe Marks Usage Agreement, or in a manner that otherwise harms Stripe or the Stripe brand; any action that implies an untrue endorsement by or affiliation with Stripe

Counterfeit or unauthorized goods

Unauthorized sale or resale of brand name or designer products or services; sale of goods or services that are illegally imported or exported

Marijuana dispensaries and related businesses; sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and e-liquid; online pharmacies; age restricted goods or services; weapons and munitions; gunpowder and other explosives; fireworks and related goods; toxic, flammable, and radioactive materials; products and services with varying legal status on a state-by-state basis; goods or services, the sale of which is illegal under applicable law in the jurisdictions to which your business is targeted or directed

Adult content and services

Pornography and other obscene materials (including literature, imagery and other media); sites offering any sexually-related services such as prostitution, escorts, pay-per view, adult live chat features

Unfair, predatory, or deceptive practices

Get rich quick schemes

Investment opportunities or other services that promise high rewards

Mug shot publication or pay-to-remove sites

Platforms that facilitate the publication and removal of content (such as mug shots), where the primary purpose of posting such content is to cause or raise concerns of reputational harm

No-value-added services

Sale or resale of a service without added benefit to the buyer; resale of government offerings without authorization or added value; sites that we determine in our sole discretion to be unfair, deceptive, or predatory towards consumers

Products or services that are otherwise restricted by our financial partners

Aggregation

Engaging in any form of licensed or unlicensed aggregation of funds owed to third parties, factoring, or other activities intended to obfuscate the origin of funds

Drug paraphernalia

Any equipment designed for making or using drugs, such as bongs, vaporizers, and hookahs

Pharmaceuticals and other products that make health claims that have not been approved or verified by the applicable local and/or national regulatory body

Social media activity

Sale of Twitter followers, Facebook likes, YouTube views, and other forms of social media activity

Substances designed to mimic illegal drugs

Sale of a legal substance that provides the same effect as an illegal drug (e.g., salvia, kratom)

Video game or virtual world credits

Sale of in-game currency or game items, unless the merchant is the operator of the virtual world

Use of Stripe in a manner inconsistent with its intended use or as expressly prohibited in the Stripe Services Agreement

Use of Stripe principally as a virtual terminal (e.g., submitting card transactions by manually inputting card information); processing where there is no bona fide good or service sold, or donation accepted; card testing; evasion of card network chargeback monitoring programs; sharing cardholder information with another merchant for payment cross-sell product or service

If you have any questions about supported businesses, don’t hesitate to get in touch.